TREND DESCRIPTION AND JUSTIFICATION
The trend oriental opulence celebrates Eastern influences redefined with a modern interpretation of the classical oriental trend. Rich deep red tones, embellished gold fabrics, origami styled pleats and manipulations, structured styles with trademark high collar, side closures and slits all inspired by 18th centaury China and the extravagance of the decadent city that is Shanghai. Matte gold echoed strongly through embroided fabrics that characterise oriental styled themes. The colour Red will feature strongly, symbolising freedom and strength but also making a bold statement. Interior trends will also emulate strong oriental influences look to vintage floral Japanese textiles for inspiration, simple and minimal shapes with striking colours. The colours of the Orient will be highlighted in porcelain, silk, jade and ivory, balanced with dark coloured furniture, and offset the strong presence of green, which is favoured for its elegance. Minimal block colour approach and Natural elements such as wood, natural stone, bamboo, and eastern styled wall paper will be complimented by gold accents to communicate the extravagance of this trend.
Pivotal to this trend is the World Expo 2010 which is being held in Shanghai. The city is home to an extraordinary cultural boom but also the reference and inspiration behind this oriental themed trend. The World Expo aims to communicate the theme “Better City – Better Life” and signifies Shanghai’s new status in the 21st century as the “next great world city”. Attracting the attendance of World Leaders, the most expensive and well-attended World’s Fair in history will celebrate Shanghai as a city and Chinese culture. At the heart of the expo is the China pavilion, the “Oriental Crown”, a massive, two-hundred-foot-tall structure that incorporates traditional Chinese architectural and design elements into a huge structure that looms elegantly over the entire site.
This event will attract world wide media attention and justifies why I think Oriental Opulence will be a strong theme and trend during winter 2011. The spotlight on Chinese culture during this festival will see the emergence of Oriental inspired home interiors and fashion influences on winter 2011 catwalks.
BELOW is a series of pictures which strongly communicate the trend and its influences.
